The second studio album by Vrelo, “Čuvam ovce” (Shepherdess), presents ten tracks in the band’s distinctive and genre-fluid world music expression. As Ivana Ljubinković notes, surrendering to Vrelo’s music “without knowing exactly where it will take you” may be the album’s strongest impression – from the “rock kolo” energy of the title track to ritualistic grooves and emotionally charged finales. Arrangements and text adaptations are signed by Nataša and Stanko Tomić, while powerful vocal lines, supported by rhythm section and guest instrumentalists, create a sound that blends alternative ethno, ethno-rock, punk, reggae, dub and fusion. Traditional songs from the Balkans and beyond are reimagined through inventive arrangements, often merging different lyrical and melodic layers. In “Anđel mladoženja”, for instance, inserted verses reshape the narrative into a love story with a bittersweet ending, while “Oči moje” adopts a semi-recitative approach that intensifies its emotional impact. The album also includes a fully original track, “Bolovi”, yet creative intervention permeates the entire release – in its dialogue between tradition and contemporary production. “Čuvam ovce” confirms Vrelo as a band that preserves and transforms inherited values, shaping a bold, energetic and modern sound that invites dance, ritual and reflection alike.

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